Top 4 Self Help Books

As someone who suffers from anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder, I am always on the lookout for books to read which give me the strategies to cope with my issues. I am always eager to educate myself on understanding why I feel the way I do and what I can do to reverse and prevent these feelings. This really helps me to get to grips with my mental health and make sure I am in control of it.

In order for these books to be effective, you have to really use your own initiative and use the strategies they give to you. A lot of effort has to be put in by yourself. It is something you have to work on every day in order to keep your mental health under control. So, without further ado:

What I really like about this book is that it is so relatable. She talks about her anxiety while she was young and as she grew up. It feels like you are just listening to a friend talk which is really comforting and makes for an easy read. It is also very relatable for this day and age, as she goes on to talk about the negative effects of modern work and social media. She explains how anxiety can be provoked by all the expectations others and ourselves put on us. She also gives a bundle of ways in which to manage anxiety such as exercise, diet and meditation. It really does do what it says on the tin!

My mum introduced me to this book when I was growing up and my God, it is a game changer. It is all about taking a plunge into uncertainty and to just go for your desires in life. It is about saying ‘yes!’ to opportunities and to not let anxiety and worry rule your whole life. It is reassuring in the way she explains how it is okay to be feel scared but you can’t be crippled by the fear! Be positive and don’t make excuses! It is such an empowering book as it makes you realise that you are truly in control of your actions and reactions.

This is a book specifically for body image issues, but I felt like I had to mention it as it has helped me a lot and feel like it could aid others too. This book isn’t styled in a chatty format as it is literally just giving you the tools to handle and prevent a variety of body image related problems. It included information for anorexia, bulimia, OCD and even anxiety. Furthermore, it gives you the psychological reasons you feel the way you do. It is a very insightful and helpful read which can act as a guide book you can go back to time and time again.

If you are going to read this, read it with an open mind. As a very spiritual person, I feel like this book resonates very much with me. It explains concepts such as the ego, the self and enlightenment. It helps you become aware of your being and that you have to live in the now. There is no such thing as the past or the future, so there is no use dwelling on what has been or worrying about what will be. I should confess, this is a bit of a heavy read but it is an amazing and life changing book which I highly recommend. If it seems too full on to read, the audio version is also available. Eckhart Tolle has helped so many people, even the likes of Russell Brand and Jim Carrey!